Patent GB-1161081-A (GB)
Title: Well Tools.
IPC: E21B17/06
Filed: 1966-08-10
Abstract: 1,161,081. Wells &c. OTIS ENG. CORP. 10 Aug., 1966 [16 Aug., 1965], No. 35907/66. Heading E1F. In a well packer or bridge plug having a tubular body 37, 38 on which are mounted upper and lower slips 43, 47, the expander 90 for the upper slips contracts to release the upper slips when wedges 106 are removed from the expander by a stop 101 on the body. The packer 35 is lowered into position in the well on a running tool 160 comprising a latch section 166 and extension 167, projections 154 on the packer engaging slots 180 in the latch section. The tool is rotated counterclockwise to undo threads 54 so that parts 37, 38 of packer may be moved upwardly relative to the rest of the packer. The upper slip carrier 42 is held in the well by drag springs 74 so that upward movement of the tool cause the expander 90 to set the slips 43. After the slips 43 are set further upward movement of the tool shears pin 104, packing 45 contacts the well casing, pins 115 shear, the pins (134 Fig. 23 not shown) preventing movement of the slip carrier 48 relative to the lower expander 46 shear, and the slips 47 set. The parts 37, 38 cannot move upwardly relative to the rest of the packer because the extension 167 prevents inward movement of fingers 147 nor can they move downwardly because of wedges 60. To remove the packer the running tool is rotated clockwise and raised to the surface the slots clearing the projections 154. The extension is removed from the tool which is again connected to the packer. On upward movement of the tool the part 38 is no longer held by the fingers and moves upwardly carrying the ring 101 which moves the wedges 106 after shearing a pin 110 so that fingers forming the expander 90 contract inwardly. On further upward movement of the tool the wedges pivot the slips 43 to unset them, the carrier 42 is raised and the expander 90 moves to allow the packing to take up its unloaded position. On further upward movement of the tool a stop ring 138 engages a shoulder on the expander 46 to unset slips 47 so that the packer can be removed from the well. In wells where the tubing is subjected to temperature changes, as when used for steam injection, the running tool is removed after the packer has been set and is replaced by a connector 200 (Fig. 14). The connector is fixed to the packer by lowering the connector onto the packer and rotating the connector counterclockwise so that the projections 154 on the packer are engaged by slots 180a in the connector. Further counterclockwise movement of the connector and upward movement of the connector supporting string 161 causes projections 219 on the part 201 of the connector to disengage from slot 222 in the connector part 220 so that the string and extension 167a may move longitudinally relative to the part 201 which is fixed to the packer. In a modification of the connector. (Fig. 17, not shown) the extension (167b) is attached to a part (330) which is attached to the string (161) and the part (301) having the connection to the packer is initially attached to the part (330) by a shear pin (344) and snap ring (333), the part (330) having projections (347) and the part (301) having slots (321) for fixing the parts (330, 301) against relative movement for withdrawal of the connector. The connectors are in accordance with Specification 1,161,082. In a modified packer (Fig. 20A and 20B, not shown) the packer is hydraulically operated, the upper slips (43c) being set by dropping a ball (436) onto a seat (434) in the extension and pumping fluid down the string and tool to move an annular piston (410) and the upper slip carrier (42c) downwardly to set the upper slips. Increased fluid pressure shears a pin holding the seat and ball, and the string is lifted to set the lower slips and the packing. In a further modification (Fig. 21A and 21B, not shown) a running tool (501) is cable suspended and comprises inner and outer sleeves (502), (505), the inner sleeve (502) carrying the extension (167d) and outer sleeve (505) being moved downwardly by igniting an explosive charge, to set the upper slips. The lower slips and packing are then set by raising the tool. A bridge plug 600 (Fig. 22A) also has a cable suspended explosively operated running, tool which sets the upper slips by downward movement of a sleeve 605. The plug is removed by pulling on fishing neck 638 to shear pins 618 to permit sleeve 622 to uncover holes 635 to balance the pressures on either side of the plug. Further pulling on the fishing neck shears pins 624, sleeve 622 and extension 167e coming to rest when extension 167e engages stop 671. As the extension has left the spring fingers free to move inwardly, continued upward pull on the fishing neck will remove the plug.